Monday reader's view: Camp asked to compromise

By the Midland Daily News

Published 6:22 am, Monday, November 21, 2011

To the editor:

An open letter to Congressman Dave Camp:

I begin with the assumption that you are an intelligent man. Further, you are the incumbent in a congressional seat so perfectly gerrymandered that your re-election has become a matter of your choice, not really that of your constituents. You are already rich. You've got nothing to lose. For these reasons, I cannot understand why you continue to cling to the absurd and dangerous Republican anti-tax fanaticism even after you have been named to the 12-member deficit-reduction supercommittee, and the opportunity of your lifetime has been dropped in your lap.

The rules of the supercommittee are that it requires only seven members to agree on a plan and send it to the entire Congress where it must be voted on without any amendments or filibusters. The whole world is watching to see if America can still govern itself responsibly. The nation's economy, millions of jobs and my grandchildren's future hang in the balance. You could, at this point in your life and career, put the country ahead of party, discard the partisan gamesmanship, rise to the level of statesman and offer a true and fair compromise with the six Democrats. They will seize it and you will forever be remembered as a true American patriot. Or you can forsake your constituents and continue to take directions from your party bosses and the Washington special interests you've made pledges to.

However, if even at this grave hour you refuse to work with your fellow legislators; if you can't compromise because your chairmanship, or the status is just too important to you; if you do prove incapable of the job for which you've been campaigning for 22 years; if you don't have the courage, then do us a favor. Don't ask for another term in 2012. You've had your opportunity.